General information on radon

What is radon?

The noble gas radon is produced by radioactive decay of naturally occurring uranium and is itself radioactive. Radon can accumulate under unfavourable conditions in buildings where it is constantly inhaled. It cannot be perceived with the human senses. Nevertheless, it can be easily measured.

Since radon is produced in the course of the radioactive decay of uranium and uranium is found in almost all soils, radon is also formed everywhere. As a gas, it can enter the room air with the soil air through gaps and cracks in the foundation. Under unfavourable circumstances, this can lead to very high radon concentrations in buildings. In order to protect the health of the people who stay in these buildings, such a situation should be avoided through prevention or remediation.

As radon only becomes a problem when it accumulates in the indoor air in buildings, it is a technologically induced indoor pollutant. In the open air, there is generally a strong dilution, so that no dangerous radon concentrations arise.

Health effects of radon

Radon and its derivates enter the lungs through breathing. Radon as a noble gas is quickly exhaled again. However, the derived products of radon mainly accumulate on airborne particles and remain in the moist airways. As these are also radioactive, they damage the upper cell layers of the lung tissue, which means an increased risk of lung cancer in the long term. The higher the radon concentration in the air we breathe and the longer it is inhaled, the greater the risk of lung cancer.

In Austria, around 10 per cent of lung cancer cases (i.e. around 400 cases per year) are caused by radon and its by-products.

How do I protect myself against radon?

Radon protection should already be taken into account when planning new buildings or renovating existing ones. However, radon protection should also be taken into account when buying a house. You can find more information about this at radon.gv.at. (in German only)

The protection of residents in their own four walls is particularly important. Tips for the protection against radon in the home can be found at the website radon.gv.at. (in German only)

Radon is used for therapeutic purposes in the form of baths and inhalations. As with any medical treatment, the advantages and disadvantages should be weighed up against each other. The specialist centre for radon also provides information on this topic at radon.gv.at. (in German only)

Radon can be absorbed by groundwater and spring water in the soil. In individual cases, radon dissolved in water can lead to increased radon concentrations in homes. How to proceed in such cases you can learn at radon.gv.at. (in German only)

Consulting and help

Experts are available throughout Austria to support you with radon protection. This includes the Austrian Radon Centre as well as experts for structural radon protection and the contact persons at the Federal Provinces. A list of contact points for radon can be found on the website radon.gv.at. (in German only)